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I am doing a project where I need to make several pieces of leather scale armor. Each chest piece needs ~500 leather scales and I have several different designs planned. I have been told that a clicker die is the way to go. Originally I was told that a custom clicker die for this purpose would likely cost $50-$75. So I rushed out and bought a 12ton shop press, and got some drawings of sample scales. But when it came time to find quotes for the dies, I am getting quotes in the $150-$250 range! Am I shopping at the wrong places? I am moderately handy and have a pretty good wood and metal shop. Am I better off making my own dies? I tried reading about homemade dies and the consensus at CNCzone.com was that it is better to buy a professionally made die rather than make something. Another person suggested that these scales are common enough there probably is someone who already makes dies specifically for these scales. I figured I would be better off getting advice from leatherworkers. Can anyone help guide me?

Hi guys, this is my first question on the site. I haven't done any sort of leatherwork before and I don't have any equipment or real knowledge. I'm looking to make some armor, just a chestpiece to start with, and I'm wondering if I need to buy any specific equipment, what sort of leather I should use, techniques etc. Any links to sites would be appreciated as well.

Hello all. I'm interested in crafting some armour. I've done a fair bit of research and i think i have the general idea, but i'd like to have a good reference book, or How To book on hand to see what else i might need and just for general knoledge, i want to avoid wasting too much leather, considering the cost. any suggestions?

Hello all, this is my first post. Leatherworking was passed down to me by my dad but was not taught (I got all his stuff when he passed away). So I have a lot of tools and have been messing around for a few years learning this and that but I want to start making my armor now and getting more serious about the craft. I have picked out the general armor I want to make, see attached photos for my inspiration. I am an archer so I need to be able to move my arms easily. I know how to make a mold of my bust to form wet leather but I do not want one single piece of leather for my breastplate. I want something pieced together like the pictures but I am wondering how to do it. Is it possible to rivet pieces together then wet and form them? or is this going to mess up the rivets? I'm going to start with a pattern on paper before I cut into leather but I was hoping for a little advice before I start to maybe save myself some time. I am a woman, if the pictures didn't give it away, so making the breasts fit is the problem here. I am also very interested in splint armor but figure I'll save that project for later when I can have my brother help me (he is a blacksmith). Any advice will help. This is my first piece of armor so I am in the dark other then what I have read and watched. thanks I love how this armor fits her. It's more warrior then what I am looking to make but I like how it is put together. I like how this covers her chest completely, I don't need to be flashing people. I really love this piece a lot. This is more what I am looking to make but I am heavier so I am wondering if the more open top of this one will work for me.

Hi there I am a budding leather worker (2 years now) and am looking for a source where to find leather armor patterns.... free down loads prefered to learn the basics... but any site or thoughts would help. Thanks much